Clay's Guestbook

Debbie Kelly  Janet, I am not much younger than you. I would choose tissue. When that one wears out, you will qualify for TAVR, which, is not much different than having an angiogram. Between the two valves, that should give you about 25 years. I am trying to keep away from blood thinners, plus I don't think i could deal with the ticking of the mechanical. Good luck!

Marie Myers  It is a tough decision, and I wrestled with it for weeks. I eventually chose a tissue valve at the age of 63. Wishing you peace in the process!

Clay Rowe  Hi Lynn, sorry you have this but good you have family close to a great place to have work done and to recover. I think I was 5.3 too. Everyone I talked with spoke highly of Hughes and I do too. Duke doesn't do much pre-op hand holding but I had excellent care there. He wired me up tight! I tired pretty easily during the few weeks my hemoglobin recovered, but continued to improve and certainly was able to keep a walking routine on level ground. Inclines and steps were a little tiring but I kept reminding myself that it was OK to rest if I needed to. If you're active now you'll be active through recovery and do fine. Let me know if you have any questions and I've got you on my prayer list.

Clay Rowe  Hi Jon, I know how you're feeling...especially not having any symptoms. You don't want to wait until you damage something but you don't want to rush into the ordeal too soon.
Anyway, I was really thankful after surgery that my body fat was low and I went in pretty strong. I didn't smoke or drink (i do enjoy an occasional brew now though). I stopped the gym about 2 months before surgery because I was put off by the afib and afraid of the aortic aneurysm (which is why I had to go under). As for recovery...God was merciful because I really had very little pain. I was taking only Tylenol by day 3...but you bet I didn't miss a dose. My discomfort was mainly between my shoulderblades and back. You'll want a back massage often.
Sleep was tricky...I slept inclined for weeks. Due to low hemoglobin, I was weak for weeks after surgery. I sat around for the first 5(?) days back home. Afterwards I walked every day. I'd have to rest a moment after getting out of the car...but was ok after gaining momentum...like having high inertia. We have 4 big malls in the area so I did laps. I worked up to 3 - 5 miles a day.
The doc said I was ok for light gym lifting at 4 months, but I returned on the 6 month mark.
I eased back into lifting very slowly with zero ego. My doc says no bearing down, holding breath, no maxing out, leave one rep in the tank. No grunt-beast body building which was never my thing anyway. I can't bench because of shoulder issues but I do chest and haven't split in half yet. I don't do power lifts like heavy squats but I do leg extensions and curls. Shoulders and abs seem to get me winded more than anything...but I don't work to the point of being very winded either. I don't THINK I overdo it but he might say otherwise if he watched me.
Anyway, my resting heart rate was 57 preoperative and is 73 at best now. I had a MAZE procedure while under that is supposed to suppress afib. I'm told I don't have afib anymore but I often have a fluttering feeling and my rate in the gym the gym is around 140 even sitting on a bench. So...I don't sling plates around like I used to and I'm conscious of putting strain on my heart, but I feel like Im getting stronger and will get back most of what I had before. My biggest obstacle is girl scout cookies and not my heart condition. I'm easing some cardio back into my life because it's better for your heart. I hear it helps lower the resting rate, and I'm too fat.
Talk to your doctor about your expectations for post op fitness, but I do about whatever I want...within reason.
This is a long answer but hope it helps out.
PS: do NOT use this as an excuse to lounge and eat. It's an opportunity to be victorious over adversity.

Clay Rowe  Hi Patricia. No...just Metoprolol Tartrate before surgery (only used a couple of times...I didn't see much relief), now on Metoprol ER 25 once daily. I'm mildly concerned that im in Afib (low rate ) but my INR is still low 3 weeks post-op. I have an appointment with my rhythm specialist Feb 20. Hope your meds keep your rate under control. We don't wanna stroke out!

Pat Bluemel  Hey Clay, Consider asking your doc to up the dose, I am on Toprol XL 50mgs twice a day they started this at discharge. No afib flirts since Sunday.

Clay Rowe  Hi Patricia. I just read your posts...wow. you're a tough chick...hats off :) Anyway...a few months pre surgery, i started having Afib attacks during challenging gym workouts...but not always. I was prescribed Lopressor as needed...which I never used. Turns out it was root n valve time anyway, so they decided to do a maze whIle they were in there.
Temp Afib is very common after OHS...so mine is hanging around about all the time now. The maze has a high cure rate, but can take 3 months to be effective.
So...I'm on Metoprolol 25 mg (beta blocker) to keep my rate down...and warfarin to prevent thrombosis. my surgeon says not concerned right now...keep walking. I pretty much ignore it...unaware of it mostly...it isn't a fast rate...just quivering and irregular.
But I have an appointment in 3 weeks with my "rhythm doc" to reassess meds if necessary.
I have a bovine valve...God help me. I almost went for the On-X mechanical but not ready yet...doc says he'd do bovine if it was him and we're similar age and activity.
Hope this answers and you haven't fallen asleep reading it! We're getting better every day.

Patricia Garcia  Thanks for getitng back to me Clay. I have had 2 Afib episodes since I have come home. My highest rate was 155 and my average heart rate is around 65-70. I had Afib in the ICU right after surgery at 211 BPM and had to be converted. It did not happen again in the hospital after surgery. I don't blame you for the tissue valve as that is what I selected first after my repair failed in 2007. It was suppose to last 16 yrs. I did have a baby 2 1/2 years ago and had a hard time getting through that. My blood volume doubled and I had bouts of Afib. We got through it though and I did not have any more Afib, until this December when the porcine valve became stenosed. Many people have them last longer, but mine only lasted 8 yrs. No more for me I pray that nothing goes wrong and it outlast me. They are high maintance, but if it keeps me out of that operating room then it is welll worth it.

Clay Rowe  Patricia, yeah...that rate is pretty high. I Had a normal rhythm when I was discharged, but developed this afib at home. i guess my rate stays fairly low (max 80-90) because of the beta blocker Im on...it's just irregular...but annoying.
I'm praying to God that my surgeon's confidence in TAVR for future redo will be fulfilled. However...if I do have to have another OHS then I'll probably go mechanical. I've no doubt you did the right thing.

Clay Rowe  Hi Jim, before surgery, I had occasional Afib but didn't take anything for it. Resting rate under 60 bpm. Post surgery, I'm on metoprolol succinate 25 mg once a day. I have Afib (irregular heartbeat) at any given time...which we expected. It's difficult to dial in on my heart rate, but it seems a little higher than my pre-op...under 60 bpm. It might be the blocker...or just the surgery. I expect things to be off kilter for a few months. I feel like my pressure takes a few seconds to catch up to my body when I stand up and start walking, but afterwards I do great.

Clay Rowe  Hi Dean. This was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. In the end...it morphed into an introspection of my life and the direction I felt compelled to follow in Act II. The crunchy wheat side of me likes the on-x mechanical with a near normal INR (on the way). But...given the probable options for redo presented by my surgeon...and some overdue soul searching...I'm USDA certified Angus now...with a new aortic root and a Maze procedure. We're buds. Let's hope TAVR and On-x get together and make a beautiful baby for our redo!

Elaine Foster  Clay, the decision on the valve was the most difficult for me too, and probably for most everyone here. I went back and forth multiple times, because my surgeon really believed in the ON-x. But, I could not find any peace with that- so its Angus for me too! I like the way you stated that USDS certified Angus! My dad raised Black Angus for many years - so ...no little piggy for me.

Bill Hendrickson  Clay,great news to see you on the recovery road. Three of my family have been through the Duke Cardiac unit with good results. Take you time with healing,you have many years ahead.

Clay Rowe  Thanks for the insight and support Dave. I talked with a guy today who has your mech/root combo and he says his thumps. Good to hear you've made the right choice.

Clay Rowe  Hi Christine. My surgeon says (and confirmed again for me) that mine is too spread out to repair. Oh well. Fortunately, the afib is a recent issue that only happens when I provoke it at the gym going 70%. Not liking that...so while they have my engine apart, they're going to help me with the afib. Talking with folks here has helped tremendously.

  Sounds like you r in good hands. Keep up the positive thinking. It really does help, especially during recovery. You will do well, because as you can see, all on this site, with maybe a few bumps here and there, make it to the other side and way, way, beyond...:).

Clay Rowe  Bill, that's great to hear. I've only had the initial consult but came away totally confident. Sounds like you've been training for this for quite a while. I've got to catch up with you on the biking. We're gonna do great.

Clay Rowe  Hi Clare. I'm considering that On-X valve for myself. It's been approved for lower INR in Europe and I'm expecting the same here. So...if you're in a quiet room can someone sitting beside you hear it? I know it's different for everyone. I love leafy greens but I don't eat them regularly so I think my diet would be ok.

Clare Auten  Rarely do others hear it. I have 2 kids that still like to sit on my lap and lay their heads on my chest. Yes. They can hear it. I had one student hear it in class which was kind of freaky. Occasionally my husband will say he can hear it at night in bed when all is quiet.

Clay Rowe  I hate you had that problem. one more question...we're you given the option of a TAVR repair? I know TAVR has been reserved for high risk for elderly patients, but I see more recent talk about TAVR for valve-in-valve redo. I also read that you MUST eat those foods for your valve to work properly... Enjoy!

Bob M  Hey paisanos! My tissue valve is from St. Jude Medical, but St. Jude was Italian (yes, really .... I think), so I can eat pizza and pasta daily ... Sorry for me, that is not exactly correct.

Clay Rowe  I think pasta every other day with that device. Glad to read you're on the upswing after working through a lot of issues Bob. Thanks.

Clay Rowe  Hi Richard. Thanks so much for responding. Was there any explanation for the early (?) failure of your 1st valve? What mechanical did you receive?

Clay Rowe  Hi Amy. From what I read, tissue has an edge over mechanical when pregnancy is a factor. But I also found some encouraging results from a study of patients with poor anti coagulation who were recipients of on-x mechanical valves. Google "On-x valve pregnancy" and look at the NCBI return. I've only known my team for 4 months. While I'm very confident in them, there hasn't been a lot of hand holding or information given regarding the valve choice unless I asked for it.
Today has been kinda low for me. I was praying for an epiphany and I realized that the same faith I have that my doctors and God will bring me through the procedure and recovery also includes deciding the right valve. So while I still need some help to make a decision, I'm feeling better that I'll make the right one for me. I'll read this tomorrow when I'm freaked out again. Ha.